Eyelids

ENTROPION AND ECTROPION

When the lubricating treatment is not sufficient, the ophthalmologist recommends this surgical procedure to place the eyelids in the correct position and thus achieve definitive results.

Quickert technique

Surgical treatment of entropion consists of tightening the eyelid and its insertions to return it to its normal position. There are different options for this, one of which is the Quickert technique. This consists in the placement of two or three stitches in several points of the eyelids, in order to restore them to their normal position. This procedure is quick and is performed under local anesthesia, without incisions in the skin and on an outpatient basis.

The procedure has immediate results and discomfort during the procedure is minimal, allowing the patient to resume daily activities on the same day. The procedure lasts about 30 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia.

Tarsal strip

The definitive treatment of ectropion is surgical. One of the most widely used techniques is the tarsal strip, through which the lower eyelid is tightened, anchoring it to the orbital rim. This is used to correct ectropion as well as other eyelid laxity problems.

Tarsal strip surgery is performed under local anesthesia and lasts between half an hour and an hour. In addition, it may require complementary procedures (such as surgery to reinsert the retractor muscles) to achieve optimal results. Recovery is usually rapid, and the patient can return to work within a few days (at most, swelling and some local hematoma may be present).

Palpebral wedgeresection

Another option to solve ectropion is the palpebral wedge resection. This is a technique to tighten the eyelid by resecting a wedge-shaped segment of the eyelid. In other words, it consists of removing a wedge of tissue from the eyelid and then joining the edges with stitches in order to tighten it.

This is also an outpatient procedure, which is performed under local anesthesia, and lasts approximately 30 minutes. In the postoperative period the patient will have stitches in the eyelid (which may be reabsorbable), and should be applied, as in most cases, a local antibiotic.

PTOSIS PALPEBRAL

Oculoplastic ptosis surgery is the most commonly used procedure to resolve this eyelid malposition known as droopy eyelid.

In more moderate cases, the ophthalmologist specialized in ocular plastic surgery aims to tighten the upper eyelid elevation muscle, which is drooping, to achieve symmetry of both eyelids.

Levator muscle resection

For the correction of mild or moderate eyelid ptosis, usually congenital, levator muscle resection is performed, which consists in the shortening of the levator muscle of the eyelid.

This surgery lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, and is performed under local anesthesia (subcutaneous infiltration). Recovery is usually short (a few days), with little local discomfort.

Müllerectomy

Another technique for the correction of eyelid ptosis, usually of a milder degree, is the müllerectomy. This is based on the shortening and suturing of the Müller muscle, and allows to solve small palpebral ptosis in a short time and without visible scars.

This procedure lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, and is performed under local anesthesia (subcutaneous infiltration). Recovery usually lasts a few days, with mild local discomfort.

When the patient presents a more severe palpebral ptosis, the surgical technique will be oriented to the repositioning and strengthening of the levator muscle.

Depending on the causes of ptosis , different techniques can be used, minimally invasive and without visible incisions. This type of surgery can be complemented with other ocular plastic treatments such as blepharoplasty, in which the excess skin of the upper eyelid is removed.